"What would the gossip mill, and her father, have to say if they saw her self-inflicted injuries, especially when considering her current physical state, which, depending on her choices, will be very noticeable soon?" A smooth voice echoed.

"What in the fu-" A hard voice was interrupted by the first, "You must admit that this situation looks bad from an outsider's perspective. She is covered in bruises and has cuts across her arms. Most of her classmates are aware that you and she have carried on with a close relationship over the last six months. That, along with her blood test results, make for a sordid tale."

There was a stream of swear words. The cool voice continued on as if the other had not spoken at all. "If Carlisle had not taken Bella's chart from the on-duty nurse, the gossip would have already spread like wild fire. It would leave a bad impression for you both, but most certainly for her. If discretion is not enough to persuade you, allow me to ask you this. Would you truly have us leave, Carlisle leave, before she is properly healed? You would leave her injuries to those with lesser experience than my father's three-hundred years simply out of spite?"

"No," A hot voice snapped, "I think I was pretty damn clear about what I want, bloodsucker. I want you out of here. Stop hovering over her like a creep. Daddy Doc can stay. You need to go."

The first voice said, "I will stay until she is healed and we have spoken. If nothing else, I wish to speak with her one last time."

"There is nothing else," The second voice gruffly replied, "although you keep waiting around for more. It isn't going to happen, douche bag. She's through with you, which she's already told you."

"I am well aware of what she has, and has not, told me." His voice was like ice now as he frostily stated, "You weren't there. You didn't see her or hear her words. She saved me from Victoria. I…I must speak to her once more. That is all."

"You're still trying to win her back," The second voice huffed, "but she isn't a prize and this isn't a game. Do you really think she would have been intimate with me if she didn't love me, if she wasn't absolutely certain I am who she wants? Bella isn't the kind of girl to have casual sex."

"No, she isn't." The first voice replied softly, "You're wrong, however, because she is certainly the ultimate prize in life. I was stupid. I had her until…"

The second voice bluntly said, "Don't expect me to feel pity for you, asshole. You did this to yourself. I'm glad for it. If you hadn't been a dumbass, Bells would be dead and frozen by now."

"Do you think so?" The first voice quietly asked.

The second snorted, "I know so. Bella gives her all. She would have joined your coven in some misguided attempt to prove herself to you."

"And her predicament now?" The cool tone was hard. "This recklessness. Is this her misguided attempt at proving herself to you?"

There was a rumble. I felt a strange vibration in my chest. It echoed throughout my body as the second voice snarled, "Don't try to twist this to be something it isn't. You're demented, you know that, Cullen? Life is unpredictable at times. It happens. I'm not ashamed and Bella won't be, either. Scared, hell yes. Worried, absolutely. Maybe even irritated, but she's determined. She's smart. She's brave. She can take care of herself and everybody else, too. Hell, she's a natural nurturer."

There was a pause before Jacob said, "You always underestimated her. That was your biggest downfall, idiot."

I heard no more for a long time. Eventually, I became aware of the slow and steady beep of a machine. The smell of antiseptic was sharp in my nose. There was constriction on my legs, but they did nothing when I tried to move them. I tried to reach down, but a dull pinching in my hand had me groaning. It took considerable effort to pry my hefty eyelids open. Despite the dimly lit room, I still had to blink several times to bring my surroundings into focus. As I stared at a blank, white wall, I heard a familiar snore. I looked to the right and saw a pair of big, broad shoulders slumped in a plastic chair. My first impression, through blurry eyes, was russet skin and raven hair. I opened my mouth and tried to speak. My throat worked, but nothing more than a dry squawk emerged. Licking my dry lips, I reached out and was instantly yanked back into place. Glancing at my hand, I followed the line of the clear tube until I was staring at a plastic bag hanging from a hook. An IV drip. White walls. White linens. Antiseptic. I was in the hospital.

Memories came rushing back to me like water crashing through a beaver's dam. Ruby-red eyes. Shadows. Growling. Wolves. Vampires. Crimson droplets. I gasped and winced as the sound caused my throat to feel aflame. The loud snores suddenly cut off. I turned my head and watched with heavy eyelids as Jacob sat up. He smacked his lips and blinked vaguely. His expression abruptly became frenzied. Dark eyes darted to and fro as he frantically took in my image. He looked as if he wanted to cry. Jacob leaned forward and brushed shaking fingertips across my cheek.

His eyes were glassy as he choked, "Bells. Honey."

"Is everyone okay?" I whispered roughly, "Victoria?"

"Yeah," He nodded and quickly explained, "Everyone's fine now."

"Dead?" I croaked. His fingertips pressed against my chapped lips before falling away. Jacob nodded and echoed, "Dead."

My eyes closed in relief. I nodded. There was the rustle of fabric and the clank of ceramic. I opened my eyes to see him halfway across the patient-room. He was pouring water from a pitcher to a small cup. He brought it to my bedside and slowly tilted the offering to my lips. I drank slowly until there was nothing left. Jacob asked, "Better? More?"
I shook my head and mumbled, "Better. Thanks. Where's Charlie?"

"He's safe," Jacob replied, "He woke up and went to work. From my understanding, he thought you were staying home from school and still sleeping when he left for work this morning. One of the boys picked up your truck and drove it my house around mid-afternoon to make it seem like you had come to visit. At the time, you and I were at the Cullen mansion. Carlisle was looking you over. He decided you need a CT scan and bloodwork done. When we checked you into the hospital, we figured somebody would call Charlie. We came up with a story and called him first."

"What's the story?" I asked with a sigh. Jacob fluffed the pillows behind my head and patted them wordlessly. I leaned back on my elbows and waited.

Jacob muttered reluctantly, "That you were riding your motorcycle and crashed. You cut yourself up on rocks at the beach. You've got a concussion from the fall."

My eyes opened wide. I stared at him with my jaw-dropped. I finally snapped, "Damnit, Jacob. He's going to blow a fuse. He hates motorcycles."

"I didn't know how else we could explain both our injuries." He sighed, "I thought about telling Charlie we were in a car crash, but that would mean we would have to rough up your truck. And we would have had to fake a whole scene. It seemed easier with-"

"What do you mean both our injuries?" I abruptly demanded, "What's wrong with you? Are you okay? Where are you hurt?"

"I'm okay." He insisted and bent over me as I struggled to sit up again. Jacob almost touched my shoulder before pulling back. He huffed impatiently, "Stop moving about. I mean it, Bella. I can't touch you because you're one, big bruise. Just lie still."

"Where are you hurt?" I demanded belligerently. I glared at him while ignoring his expression of pure irritated exasperation. Jacob rolled his eyes before pulling up the edge of his T-shirt. There was a series of mottled, blackened bruises decorating his ribs and stomach. I could see fading bruises, a starburst of purple and dark yellow, along his jawline. There was a long, pink scrape at his throat. The knuckles on his right hand were swollen and crusted with blood as if he had hit a solid object.

"Oh, Jacob…" I murmured wetly. He leaned down and pressed a gently kiss to my forehead before whispering, "Don't cry. We're both okay, honey. Everyone is alive and well. This can all be in the past now."

I sniffled, "So, Charlie thinks we were riding at the beach?"

"Yeah," He replied regretfully, "I had Embry and Quil bang up the bikes a bit. Scratch the paint. Dent the metal. Just about killed them to do it, but I wanted proof."

"Might as well let one of them have mine." I sighed, "Charlie is going to freak out. He's going to ground me for life. Well, try to, at least."

"Sorry, honey." Jacob said with a sad smile. He sat back down in the plastic chair and scooted as close to the bedside as he could get. He reached out and gingerly plucked up my hand. He held it together between both of his warm palms before asking, "Is the pain too much? I can call Doctor Vamp."

"I'm fine." I shrugged and let out a croaked cry. "Oh, God. Really, I'm fine if I don't move too much."

"That fucking leech bruised your collarbones. There's minor muscle damage, too. Doc told me he would show you a series of exercises that would help heal you as quickly as possible."

I closed my eyes and hummed under my breath as I listened to Jacob's husky voice. He said, "Your head worried me the most, but Doc says it's a mild concussion. Your arms gave me a scare the moment I saw you. Damn, Bells. You know how to make an impression. I just about passed out. You didn't need a ton of stitches like I thought you would. The Doc only put in six at the deepest part of one of the cuts."

I was frowning as I said, "Jacob…?"

"Yeah, honey? What's wrong?" He replied worriedly.

"What were you and Edward talking about?" I asked.

The pause was minimal, but I could feel his hesitation. I whispered, "Tell me."

"What did you hear?" He asked quietly.

"Blood tests. My chart. Gossip." I replied after a moment. "What did it mean?"

Jacob sighed, "I think we should wait until you're healed up."

"No." I replied firmly. I opened my eyes and glared at him. He shook his head and said, "I'm not trying to keep anything from you, Bells. You know me. I've always been up front with you. This is just something that will only stress you out right now."

"So what?" I retorted, "As if I'm not already stressed out."

"That's kinda my point, Bella." Jacob replied with a snort and a roll of his eyes. He took in my fierce expression and whispered, "I don't want…"

"You don't want what?" I asked nervously as I licked my lips. Suddenly, he was frowning as he met my eyes. I asked, "Me? You don't want me?"

He was stunned for a moment before he brought my hand to his mouth. He kissed each of my fingertips before fiercely stating, "Don't be silly. I always want you, Bella Swan."

"Then, what?" I asked so desperately that my voice cracked. I watched as Jacob visibly swallowed. His mocha gaze searched my face before saying, "Are you sure you can't wait another few hours until I get you home before we talk about this?"

"No." I slowly replied, "I need to know now."

"I love you." He said simply. My heart was beating quickly. The machine from the bedside was beeping rapidly. Jacob's eyes flickered to the screens before he brought his gaze back to my face. He sighed heavily. I braced myself. Jacob slowly said, "Honey, you and I…well, we…you're pregnant, Bells."

I blinked. His thumb was softly brushing against my hand. He watched me as I watched him. I breathed, "What?"

He licked his lips and repeated, "You're pregnant, Bells."

I gulped, "That's not possible."

He chuckled, "You know it is completely possible."

"We…it was…" I choked on my words, "Too soon to know that."

"Bloodwork came back positive, Bella." Jacob replied somberly. I could feel his fingertips trembling as they continued a slow sweep over my hand. He blurted, "I know you aren't really into the whole marriage and kid thing. I get it, Bells, I do. This isn't what I expected, either. I was, am, completely willing to go with whatever you're most comfortable with. We don't have to…um…"

He released my hand and ran both of his through his hair in agitation. He said and looked at the floor before saying, "Hell, Bella. I'll try to respect whatever choice you make. You're a grown woman. You make your own decisions and I totally get that having a kid when you're so young would be tough. I know neither of us have any idea what we're doing in life and I'm saddled with this wolf thing for right now, but I need you to know, as much as the timing isn't ideal, I want this with you. Only you. Always have. Always will."

I swallowed heavily and croaked, "What…?"

"I just can't imagine anyone else ever being the mother of my child." Jacob whispered and slowly met my eyes, "I know you need to think about all of this, but I need you to know I want…the baby. I want what we've created together. I'd be willing to spend all of my time creating everything with you. Kids. Home. Family. Memories. The works. I hope, once you think on it, you do too."

I stared. There was steady thumping. Jacob glanced at the door a moment before it was thrown open. It bounced back and nearly hit Charlie in the shoulder as he stumbled into the room. His wide eyes took in my bruised, but alive form. His eyes became slits as he glared at me. A vein in his forehead grew rather prominent and his skin took on an unhealthy purple hue. He stomped to the end of the bed without sparing Jacob a single glance. He stated harshly, "Isabella Marie Swan."

I swallowed heavily and blinked at him. He demanded, "How many times have I told you to stay away from motorcycles? For crying out loud, what made you decide to get on a motorcycle of all things, Bella? You're lucky you aren't dead. I'm damn lucky I'm not scraping my daughter's remains up off the side of the road."

I winced heavily as Charlie swung his glare in Jacob's direction. If I wasn't so incredibly shocked, I would have laughed at Jacob's hulking form cringing away from my father. Charlie pulled the belt of his uniform up higher and stated boldly, "I thought you smarter than this, Jake. You best believe I'll be suggesting to Billy you should be punished as heavily as Bella will be."

"Char-" Jacob was cut off as Charlie firmly stated, "No. I trusted you, Jake. Kids do silly things, but this was grossly dangerous. I thought my girl was safe with you because you're a level-headed kid, but I was obviously very wrong. Now-"

"I am safe with him." I loudly declared as I struggled to sit up. Jacob was instantly at my side with his big hands fluttering beside me anxiously. I pushed at his elbow and glared sharply at my father. I stated, "The bikes were my idea from the start. Jake was reluctant after he saw me wobbling on the thing, but I insisted. This is my fault, not his. You blame me, not him."

Charlie opened his mouth to argue, but I waved in Jacob's direction and demanded, "Look at him, Charlie. He hurt himself trying to protect me."

For the first time, Charlie hesitated and seemed to really assess Jacob's profile. He took in the shadowed bruises across the jawline. Wincing, I lunged forward and yanked up the edge of Jacob's shirt even as he offered a protest. Charlie winced in sympathy at the blackened bruises covering the entirety of Jacob's torso and ribs. He hesitantly asked, "Damn, Jake, have you been checked over for internal injuries? How did that happen?"

Jacob glanced at me as if trying to bide his time in order to come up with an excuse. I turned to Charlie and quickly stated, "My bike was going to land on me when I fell off. He jumped in the way and it slammed into his stomach instead."

Charlie cleared his throat after a pause and nodded his head in Jacob's direction. I watched as Jacob nodded back. Slowly, Jacob sat back down in the singular chair. Charlie came to the opposite side of the bed and sighed, "What's the damage?"
Jacob looked at me, but I only stared back at him blankly. He turned to Charlie and listed glumly, "Concussion. Bruises. Whiplash. Gashes on her arms from rocks on the ground. One of them needed stitches."

"Only a few stitches." I clarified, "And no broken bones."

Charlie said, "I'll go ask the front desk to speak to the doctor."

The moment the hefty door clicked shut, my eyes were pulled to Jacob's gaze like a blind man aching to turn to the brightly lit sky once more. My chest felt too small as if my lungs were shrinking. Slowly, a big and warm palm engulfed my own. He didn't speak. Only stared right back at me. It was a good thing because my mind was too blank to find words in reply. Eventually, the door opened. Charlie and a nurse entered, both speaking in low voices. I hoped none of the staff knew about my predicament and informed him. There was such a thing as patient-confidentiality, and I was over eighteen years old, but this was a small town. And my father happened to be the sheriff. Most wouldn't hesitate to talk about such drama.

I listened with half-an ear, occasionally nodding, as the nurse asked me questions. She checked my bandages and stitches before giving me a cup of tepid water and a small handful of pills. Just before she walked out, the nurse said, "Dr. Cullen will be here to check on you in a few moments, dear."

I nodded again. The door closed. There was a hefty, awkward silence. Charlie shuffled at the foot of the bed. Jacob stood up and leaned against the too-white, brick wall and gestured to the plastic chair. Charlie plopped down and muttered, "Thanks."

Staring at my hands, my mind suddenly began to whirl with a muddled series of images and flashes. Wild, curly hair. Ruby-red eyes. Ivory skin cracking like broken pavement. Scrapes, brown with soil, on bloody palms. Howls. Yips. Sandy-brown fur and high-pitched shrieking. The metallic tang of blood as it runs crimson. Blackness.

Without consciously deciding so, my trembling hands folded themselves across my stomach. I stared at the delicate blue veins just beneath my fair skin. The stark black stitches were oddly entrancing. The clear tubes that ran through my veins were causing bruises like purple flowers blooming. I wondered how well they would match the sickly yellow-green bruises across my face. I let out a half-laugh at the thought. The flat sound startled me and both of my companions. Jacob was tense in his shoulders. His arms were crossed and I could just see how his skin trembled just slightly. His face was like an incoming storm- dark and flat. Mocha eyes showed me fear. And I hated that.

Tearing my gaze from him, I turned to my father. Charlie was trying to seem as if he wasn't watching me. He was frowning with worry shining so clearly in his eyes. I had never realized, until that moment, that his gaze was calming to me. His orbs were a medium-toned brown. Too big eyes. Chocolate eyes. Familiar eyes. I had inherited those from him. If not for the crinkles at the corners, Charlie's would be identical to my own. Would a baby, my baby, have our eyes?

My breath stuttered. My throat felt dry. I tried to swallow, but nearly choked. Charlie was already moving to stand, but Jacob was quicker. He wordlessly poured another cup of water before handing it to me. He whispered, "Here, Bells."

I nodded and sipped. His gaze was heavy on me, but it only lasted a moment. Jacob retreated back to the corner of the hospital room. He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, resuming his previous pose. I glanced at him to find him staring at the heavy boots on his feet. There was a thick frown marring his features. When his gaze lifted to meet mine, my eyes flickered away. I drained the cup and set it at my side. With a deep breath, I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth. A baby. His. Mine. Ours. There was a baby inside of me.

I couldn't look up to see if Jacob was watching. My cheeks heated terribly as I wondered, hoped, that the baby would look like Jacob. Look and act like him, preferably. There wasn't much desirable about myself. It was then, as half of my mind began hoping and the other half began planning, that I knew what I would do. More importantly, I knew what I wouldn't do.